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Setya Novanto to be Questioned as Witness in Sofyan Basir's Case

Jakarta: The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is set to probe former Golkar Party chairman Setya Novanto as a witness in an alleged bribery case related to the construction of Riau-1 coal-fired power plant.

Last week, KPK named Sofyan as the latest suspect in the alleged bribery case. During a press conference, KPK accused Sofyan of accepting a bribe from mining company Blackgold Natural Resources Limited in connection with the project.

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"It is still too early. The process is still long," Sofyan said after his questioning last week.

"We will respect the legal process. I am confident that KPK is professional," he added.

In July 2018, KPK investigators arrested Golkar Party lawmaker Eni Maulani Saragih and Blackgold Natural Resources Limited boss Johannes Budi Sutrisno Kotjo in a sting operation in the capital city of Jakarta. A month later, KPK officials named former Golkar Party secretary general Idrus Marham as the third suspect in the alleged bribery case.

"KPK arrested EMS (House of Representatives legislator for 2014-2019) and JBK (private sector). The two are detained for 20 days starting today at East Jakarta Class I Detention Center KPK Branch," KPK said in a press release in July 2018.

"KPK has previously named EMS and JBK as suspects. After a 24-hour examination and case hearing, KPK concluded that EMS allegedly received kickback from JBK in relation to the PLTU Riau-1 development contract," it remarked.

Earlier this week, Idrus was sentenced to three years in prison and a fine of Rp150 million. Last month, Eni was sentenced to six years in prison and a fine of Rp200 million. In December 2018, Johannes Kotjo was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison an a fine of Rp150 million.